Namen von phantastischen Wesen und Orten in den Türkischübersetzungen von Michael Endes Fantasyroman Die unendliche Geschichte

Abstract

The translation of children's and youth literature is of particular importance in Translation Studies but also poses many translation problems. However, there has so far been limited research that focuses on translation criticism in the field of children’s and youth literature. The aim of this study is to contribute to discussions on the translation of children’s and youth literature based on the example of Michael Ende’s fantasy novel Die unendliche Geschichte (1979) and its Turkish translations. Overall, there are four Turkish translations done by two translators Saadet Özkal (Ende 1986; 1999; 2017) and Saffet Günersel (Ende 1996). All translations have the same Turkish title Bitmeyecek Öykü. Translation work on the children's fantasy novel Die unendliche Geschichte involves many potential translation problems not least due to the use in the novel of specific visual, linguistic and stylistic means. Specific translation challenges in the novel include , inter alia, those that arise due to the prevalence of names of important fantastic beings and places, which indicate the author’s creativity. This analysis, conducted within the scope of functional and child-centered theory of translation (C. Nord and E. O'Sullivan), shows that different translation techniques were used by the translators to overcome the particular translation challenges in the novel in question. The results suggest that Özkal’s translations are source text oriented, and Günersel’s translation is rather functional and target reader oriented.